Patriots Legend Reveals Favorite Memories With Team

During his seven years with the New England Patriots, former NFL safety Duron Harmon compiled a veritable treasure trove of indelible memories, both on and off the field.

Nicknamed "the Closer" for his ability to come up with late, game-sealing interceptions, the Magnolia, Delaware native provided Pats Nation with several memorable moments during his New England tenure. Though his pro football journey would eventually take him beyond the friendly confines of Foxborough, Mass, the three-time Super Bowl champion will always be remembered as a Patriot. 

With Harmon having announced his retirement on Wednesday — after 11 stellar seasons in the NFL — he sat down for an exclusive interview with New England Patriots On SI to reflect on some of his favorite times with the Patriots.

Of course, some were more prominent than others.

While one might conjecture that playing in four Super Bowls — winning titles in Super Bowls XLIX, LI and LIII — or being named a Patriots captain in 2017 might top the list, Harmon was perhaps most appreciative of making the game-winning interception during the Pats’ win over the Baltimore Ravens during the divisional round of the 2014 NFL playoffs. Harmon intercepted Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco's pass with less than two minutes remaining in the game allowing the Patriots to hold onto a 35–31 victory.

To this day, Harmon’s self-professed “biggest pick of my life," still brings a smile to his face.

“As an athlete, it’s humbling to have a moment like that, one that nobody can take away … It’s a moment I earned as a player and that we earned as a team. I just remember being down by 14 points twice in that game against a really tough Baltimore Ravens team … But we had a team full of fighters, who were willing to do whatever they could to help the team win. Devin [McCourty] had already made a big play … Tom Brady played lights out … Julian’s [Edelman] pass to Danny Amendola… so many big moments."

“It just happened to be my turn to make a play, and I’m blessed that God put me in position to show my team that they could count on me. Under two minutes left, Flacco heaves it up for Torrey Smith and I get to the hero of the game … But, I would not have been able to do it without my team around me.”